Montclair State University to Acquire NJ Spotlight

MONTCLAIR, N.J., Aug. 7, 2026 — NJ PBS announced today that Montclair State University will acquire the assets of NJ Spotlight, the statewide news organization that has reported on New Jersey policy and government since 2010, from The WNET Group. 

NJ Spotlight’s assets will be integrated with NJ PBS, which is operated by Montclair within its College of Communication and Media. Montclair became the programming and management operator of NJ PBS, which includes New Jersey's four public television stations, on July 1, 2026. 

"NJ Spotlight built a record of accountability journalism that New Jersey relies on, and that work will continue," said Dr. Keith Strudler, Dean of Montclair's College of Communication and Media. "Integrating this tradition into the NJ PBS News team under one New Jersey-based operator ensures our state and its residents get the news and information they deserve, reaching the broadest possible audience."

NJ PBS has retained John Mooney, NJ Spotlight's founding editor, to lead the transition and support the growth of the NJ PBS News team. Mooney is a veteran journalist in New Jersey, who covered education for The Star-Ledger and the Bergen Record before launching NJ Spotlight in 2010. He helped lead the newsroom for 15 years, including through its 2019 acquisition by The WNET Group and its pairing with the state's nightly public television newscast.

NJ Spotlight’s daily news coverage will continue during this transition.

"Spotlight started from the premise that New Jersey needs somebody at the Statehouse, the school board, and the budget hearings to provide critical information and insight on their state’s policies and politics," said Mooney. "We are thrilled that our award-winning coverage will continue uninterrupted, and now has a new permanent home in New Jersey. I’m grateful to Montclair for stepping up to ensure its future.”

The acquisition covers the NJ Spotlight name, its editorial archive of more than 26,000 articles published since 2010, and the njspotlightnews.org website. NJ PBS will keep the archive publicly available without a paywall and preserve existing article links where technically feasible, so that 16 years of reporting on the state budget, schools, health care, energy, and the environment stays where readers, researchers, and journalists traditionally look.

For more information, contact Stefanie Murray, College of Communication and Media, Montclair State University at murrayst@montclair.edu or 800-882-6622.

About NJ PBS: NJ PBS is New Jersey's statewide public television network, connecting viewers with trusted PBS programs, local journalism, arts and culture, learning for children, and coverage of the issues facing the state. As of July 1, 2026, Montclair State University is the  operator of NJ PBS, broadcasting on WNJB, WNJN, WNJS, and WNJT. The station licenses are held by the State of New Jersey through the New Jersey Public Broadcasting Authority.

About the College of Communication and Media: The College of Communication and Media (CCOM) offers a range of dynamic programs to a talented and diverse student population of over 2,000. Offering degrees in advertising, animation and visual effects, communication and media studies, film and television, journalism and digital media, social media and public relations, sports communication and an online, asynchronous MA devoted to strategic communication and media, the College prepares the next generation of communication and media practitioners and leaders. Founded in 2012 and housed in world-class, state-of-the-art facilities just 12 miles from New York City, the College is the only program in the country that offers the following opportunities for students: a radio station (WMSC), newspaper (The Montclarion), strategic communications agency (Hawk Communications), sports network (Red Hawk Sports Network) streaming platform (Hawk+), digital newsroom (News Lab) and studio, and a social media listening center (Joetta DiBella and Fred C. Sautter III Center for Strategic Communication). The College also has a Student Success team, including dedicated Career Services and Advising professionals who prepare students for the internship and job search process. Student projects and programs have recently received national recognition from PRSSA’s Bateman Competition, an Edward R. Murrow Award, several Marconi Award nominations, and College Television Awards (“Student Emmy” awards) from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The College is also home to the Center for Cooperative Media, which serves the public by working to grow and strengthen local journalism and media. Through $7.1M in grants awarded over the last five years, the Center focuses on collaboration in journalism, media equity, media coaching and training, civic science and research. The Center is also home to the NJ Civic Information Consortium, the largest funder of media and journalism in  New Jersey, granting more than $10M over the last five years to support independent local media, journalism and training initiatives.